WBCX Interviews

01/16/15 AnMarie Martin Speaks at the 2015 MLK Jr. Convocation

AnMarie Martin is an extraordinary, charismatic woman from San Juan, Puerto Rico. At age 36, she decided to leave a successful and lucrative career in corporate America with Emeritus Corporation to pursue her life-long dream of working in criminal justice. A survivor of childhood abuse, she always longed to serve and protect individuals who could not protect themselves. Martin is currently employed with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations / A.D.V.A.N.C.E. (Avoiding Drugs Violence and Negative Choices Early) program. She is one of five deputies who facilitates the A.D.V.A.N.C.E. curriculum in the local school system.

Community service is woven into the fabric of Martin’s life. In her spare time she mentors girls, advocates for women’s rights, and serves the Gainesville community in many other ways. She has delivered numerous speeches and presentations, sharing information on healthy choices, drug prevention, sex-trafficking, and goal mapping.

In 2014 Martin was one of the featured speakers during the Women’s Weekend annual summit at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville. Additionally, she facilitated workshops during the “Empowerment Day for Young Women” which was organized by two Hall County schools. Lastly, Martin was nominated to be one of the 2014 Community Heroes by WomenSource, a local non-profit organization whose motto is “to encourage the personal and professional success for all women in Northeast Georgia.” She is a valiant woman who tells her story with vigor, humor and sincerity. When asked about her greatest accomplishments in life, she speaks about raising two beautiful daughters with her husband. One daughter studies at University of California, Berkeley; the other is pursuing a degree at Florida State University. We are pleased to have her as our 2015 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation speaker.

Open for Business: Accreditation Body Clears Path for First Physical Therapy Class

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education has granted candidacy for accreditation to the new Brenau University doctoral degree program that is recruiting candidates for the class that begins in May 2015. Although the program cannot receive full accreditation until after the first candidates complete their studies and receive doctoral degrees in May 2018, the pre-accreditation approval represents a significant step in the evolution of the physical therapy program at Brenau, said Dr. Kathye Light, who is chair of the Brenau physical therapy department.

“This means that we are open for business,” said Light. “It means that we can seat one new cohort per year, pending full accreditation, and we have already received many applications for the first cohort.”

The Alexandria, Virginia-based CAPTE authorized Brenau to begin soliciting applications for candidacy in the late spring on Nov. 12. However, Brenau could not publicize the action until it was officially published on the organization’s Web site. What this action means is that Brenau can now admit qualified candidates into the program and to start teaching them.

One of the world’s leading experts on the global Ebola crisis warns that the United States and other countries should take care to maintain health care infrastructures as a first line of defense against uncontrollable outbreaks of deadly disease.

Dr. Frank E. Glover, urologist and public health doctor who has worked extensively in Africa during the last three decades, said that countries like Liberia and other West African nations stand as cautionary tales: when Ebola this year began ravaging urban areas in these countries, hospitals, clinics and other facilities had fallen into such poor states and the availability of health care professionals in those areas had diminished to the point that the system could not keep up.

Glover, a Savannah native and a University of Georgia honors graduate, earned his medical degree as well as a second doctorate in public health, specializing in international health, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In addition to his successful medical practice serving Albany and other Southwest Georgia cities, he is a medical missionary that partners with SIM, a Christian missions organization with works in more than 60 countries. He also serves as president of SHIELD in Africa, a U.S.-based organization working in Liberia.

Brenau Director of Broadcasting and Digital Communications Jay Andrews, David Miller, associate professor and lead faculty for the Brenau MBA program in health care management, and Dr. Al Panu, senior vice president for university affairs at the University of North Georgia, conducted the WBCX interview.

This 89.1 WBCX interview features Dr. Bill Lightfoot, professor of Management at Brenau University, and Dr. Linda Barrow, VP of Adult Education at Lanier Technical College talking with Jay Andrews about the 5th Annual Entrepreneurs: Master of Innovation event at the Brenau East campus in Gainesville, Georgia, 8:30 – 11:30 AM on Wednesday Nov. 12, 2014.

This signature community event recognizes the hard work and talent of local entrepreneurs, and encourages a path for others to strive for excellence through innovation. For more information call 770-538-4707.

The international tournament features 50 teams from colleges and universities across the country as well as universities from Canada, India and the United Kingdom. During the tournament, participants will have further training in mediation and advocacy skills and will compete in a tournament evaluated by mediation and legal professionals. For more info about the international tournament, call (770) 534-6297 or email kfrank@brenau.edu.

Dr. Nancy Krippel, Brenau University’s top academic officer, discusses challenges facing higher education and how Brenau addresses changes. In an interview for 89.1 WBCX with Brenau broadcasting director Jay Andrews, Krippel talks about issues related to both traditional college-age students and adult learners, the role of online learning, the importance of great faculty and staff, and much more.

“I think the challenge for me and for all of us working on the academic side is to retain the values of the original Brenau College, and figure out ways we can do that as we expand our population and grow our market share, particularly in online learning,” says Krippel, who is provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“There’s an ineffable quality at Brenau of community that a lot of schools talk about but not a lot of schools live. Brenau has been blessed … with leadership that has seen the future, grasped the future and moved towards it deliberately and with thought and care for all of our students.”

Prior to her arrival at Brenau, Dr. Krippel served as dean of adult and graduate studies and associate dean of the college at Mary Baldwin College, as well as in other academic leadership roles at Longwood University and her alma mater, Barat College. She has both a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. and specialized in 18th century English novels by or about women. She and her husband Frank have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

05/09/14 TrackShack – Joe Hall and Kerry Leo

Brenau University’s 89.1 WBCX airs Trackshack on Fridays at 12:05 p.m. Trackshack is a locally produced interview and music program spotlighting local musicians, singers, singer-songwriters and others. The program is co-hosted by Jay Andrews, Director of Broadcasting & Digital Communications/WBCX, and Bruce Burch, hit songwriter and Executive in Residence at Brenau.

“Before arriving at Brenau several people asked me about airing a show like this, and with Bruce’s wealth of music industry knowledge and success, we look forward to interviewing great talent throughout north Georgia on the WBCX Trackshack,” Andrews said.

The May 9, 2014 Trackshack program features Joe Hall and Kerry Leo. Joe was born on August 3rd, 1989, near Atlanta, Ga. He was introduced to music by his father, one of his biggest influences. He has played at Nashville’s Blue Bird Café several times, tried out for the American Idol TV program, and opened for country music stars such as Bill Gentry and Heidi Newfield. Joe’s musical influences include Keith Urban, Elvis Presley, John Mayer, Matt Nathanson, Goo Goo Dolls, The Beatles, and many more.

Kerry Leo grew up in northeast Georgia, with much of his time was spent in church singing to hymns and listening and singing pop material from Motown to Neil Young albums. Kerry has shared the stage with national and regional artists such as The Guess Who, The Rascals, Rick Derringer, Mothers Finest, Wet Willie, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Jimmy Hall, Janie Fricke, and others. He also performed with students and the president of the Berkley School of Music at the 2013 John Jarrard Foundation Concert in Gainesville, GA. Kerry Leo lives in Flowery Branch, Ga, where he enjoys his life as a husband, father, and musician and song writer. He also works with a very large corporation as a project manager while he continues to work with artists like Joe Hall as they develop their music career.

04/15/14 WBCX Amanda Lammers Interview

Brenau University has named Amanda Lammers its new vice president for student services with interim responsibilities for managing all enrollment activities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Reporting directly to Brenau University President Ed Schrader, Lammers primarily oversees all activities, services and facilities for several hundred residential students at Brenau Women’s College in Gainesville. In addition to services that apply only to the residential students, she also oversees for all students services such as student activities, career counseling, student retention and wellness.

04/04/14 TrackShack – Mark Dowdy, Ally Lindeen, Allen Nivens

Beginning April 4, 2104, at 12:06 p.m., Brenau University’s 89.1 WBCX will air TrackShack, a locally produced interview and music program spotlighting local musicians, singers, singer songwriters and others. Show co-hosts are Jay Andrews, Director of Broadcasting/WBCX, and Bruce Burch, hit songwriter and Executive in Residence at Brenau.

“Before arriving at Brenau several people asked me about airing a show like this, and we look forward to interviewing great talent throughout north Georgia on the WBCX TrackShack,” Andrews said.

Brenau presents its Summer Songwriter Series again this year at the Brenau Theater on the Square in Gainesville, and according to Burch the radio show could uncover even more local talent. “Last year so many local acts contacted me, and spotlighting north Georgia talent with the WBCX TrackShack show means even more to choose from.”

03/28/14 Dorothy Vogel Interviewed By Melissa Morgan and Jay Andrews

Art collector Dorothy Vogel visited the 89.1 WBCX studios for an interview Friday March 28, 2014, with Melissa Morgan, director of Brenau University Galleries, and Jay Andrews, director of broadcasting/WBCX, in connection with the Brenau Gala.

Dorothy and Herbert Vogel are considered to have established one of the most important post-1960s art collections in the United States. Brenau University received a donation of over 100 works from the Vogels and has established the “Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection”.

This 89.1 WBCX interview may be heard on Friday March 28 at 2:06 p.m., 3:06 p.m. and 4:06 p.m., and on Saturday March 29 at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1 p.m., and on the WBCX Interview page online.

03/25/14 WBCX, Brenau Gala Committee Interview

The Brenau Gala Committee, Joyce Horner, Evanda Moore and Mary Hart Wilheit, have been hard at work preparing for the Brenau Gala held Saturday March 29, 2014 at the new Brenau Downtown Center in Gainesville, Ga. Jay Andrews interviews Gala Committee members Evanda Moore and Mary Hart Wilheit on 89.1 WBCX. The interview can also be heard on 89.1 WBCX at 7:06am and 12:06pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

02/22/14 Congressman Doug Collins Interview

89.1 WBCX-FM station manager Jay Andrews interviewed U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, the 9th Congressional District representative, and his wife Lisa live prior to the Feb. 22 GOP Senate Debate debate held in Pearce Auditorium in on the Gainesville, Ga campus of Brenau University.

02/05/14 Martha Ezzard Interview

Jay Andrews interviews Martha Ezzard, author of the book ‘The Second Bud: Deserting The City For A Farm Winery’ on 89.1 WBCX.

The interview aired Monday Feb. 10 and 13 at 12:06 p.m. A book signing and wine tasting reception will be held Thursday March 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the Brenau University Downtown Center. The event is free to the public.

09/25/13 Gregory Johnson Interview

89.1 WBCX morning host Jay Andrews interviews Cumming, Ga.,- based sculptor Greg Johnson, who says he is fairly certain that the Brenau tiger is the largest of its kind in the United States, and has a degree of confidence the claim will stand worldwide, too.

The 2,200-pound tiger measures 7 feet 6 inches tall and 14 feet long. It was cast by Eagle Bronze, Inc., of Lander, Wyo. The piece finished the last leg of the cross-country journey on a trailer pulled by a heavy-duty pick-up truck so it could be lifted gently with straps and lowered onto a granite base by a crane. Brenau installed the tiger statue in a small, park-like plaza near the intersection of Academy Street and Green Street, one of Gainesville’s busiest thoroughfares.

05/13/13 Ronda Rich Interview

Ronda Rich, best-selling author, Southern humorist and Women’s College alumna will speak on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. in Pearce Auditorium on Brenau’s Gainesville campus. Admission is free. Rich, whose storytelling column appears in 53 newspapers across the Southeast, will share her stories of humor and inspiration told as seen through the eyes of Southerners, which will be recorded for a DVD.

Rich, the author of five non-fiction books including her trilogy What Southern Women Know series, is a Brenau journalism/broadcasting graduate. A movie based on her only novel, The Town That Came A-Courtin’, begins filming this summer.

04/25/13 Anne-Marie Slaughter

Slaughter, professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University and formerly dean of Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, served from January 2009 until February 2011 as the first female Director of Policy Planning for the U.S. State Department. Beginning in September 2013, she will assume the presidency of the New America Foundation.

Her highly acclaimed and provocative 2012 article “Why Women Can’t Have It All” provided a hard at fundamental changes in institutions and attitudes before women can realize full career potential along with personal and family fulfillment. As a frequent speaker, media analyst and writer in both popular press and scholarly journals, Slaughter continues to present engaging ideas and opinions of a variety of subjects from U.S. involvement in Syria to the role of climate change-driven economics in the “Arab Spring” revolutions in the Middle East.

04/11/13 Eleanor Clift

Clift, who as a Newsweek magazine reporter and columnist has covered every president since the 1970s, literally had to join a celebrated lawsuit to break out of the steno pool in the magazine’s “Mad Men” world of the 1960s. At that time, the magazine employed no women as reporters, editors and writers. Clift began work in the secretarial pool in New York, moved up to researcher and subsequently was promoted to “Girl Friday,” or technically the office manager, in the Atlanta bureau of the magazine.

By time she got her shot at reporting, the South was at the epicenter of American politics, and Clift reported on the emergence of a little-known Georgia politician, Jimmy Carter, who would become President of the United States in 1977. She followed Carter to Washington as Newsweek’s White House correspondent.

Now, as one of Washington’s most respected commentators on politics and public affairs, she continues work for the online publication, The Daily Beast/Newsweek and appears regularly on The McLaughlin Group national public affairs television program.

10/01/12 Dr. Debra Dobkins

At the midpoint of the fall term of the 2012-13 academic year, Dr. Debra Dobkins completes the first leg in her newest academic assignment – dean of the 134-year-old Women’s College at Brenau University.

Dobkins, who joined the Brenau faculty in 1998, has been an associate professor of English and director of the Writing Center that helps students bolster their communications skills. She now has responsibility for the 900-student residential college – one of 47 women’s colleges still in operation in the United States.